Paul Hockings departs West Arnhem council CEO role amid internal investigation

A remote Territory council CEO’s employment has been ‘terminated’ after allegations staff took alcohol into a dry community. Here’s how the incident is being investigated.

Eight people were allegedly caught bringing alcohol into Maningrida and drinking it in the dry community.

A remote Territory council CEO’s employment has been “terminated” while other staff are still under investigation following allegations the group’s work trip to a dry community turned into a drinking session.

West Arnhem Regional Council, during a special meeting closed to the public on Friday, “terminated” chief executive Paul Hocking’s job.

Mayor Matthew Ryan said the council’s governance and risk advisor Jessie Schaecken – not another executive staff member – was appointed to act in the role for another three months.

“At a special meeting of the West Arnhem Regional Council on Friday 21 July, council resolved to terminate the employment of Paul Hockings and then appointed Jessie Schaecken to be acting chief executive officer,” he said.

“Council is working closely with Jessie to maintain the continuity of council operations during this time.

West Arnhem Regional Council mayor Matthew Ryan said his council has resolved to “terminate” to employment of chief executive Paul Hockings. Picture: WARC

“Council is aware of allegations involving other staff members of council relating to alcohol management matters and is in the process of investigating these allegations.”

This publication understands the group of West Arnhem Regional Council staff, which included Mr Hockings, is alleged to have brought alcohol into Maningrida in late June and drunk it while visiting the dry community for cultural awareness training.

“Council’s investigations in relation to this matter will be dealt with internally,” Mr Ryan said.

“Council will not be disclosing the identity of the people involved, and will not be providing a running commentary on the progress and outcome of this investigation.

“Council reiterates that this matter is being taken very seriously.”

West Arnhem Regional Council mayor Matthew Ryan said his council was taking the allegations “very seriously” but said it would not provide a running commentary on its investigation. Picture: Supplied

Earlier in June Mr Hockings took three days annual leave for an overseas trip to Fiji, at which time acting chief operating officer Fiona Ainsworth was recommended to act in his absence.

Mayor Matthew Ryan declined to comment on why another executive staff member was not appointed as acting chief executive or whether any other staff were also on leave.

Meanwhile, an NT Police spokesman confirmed eight people would be issued with infringement notices for bringing alcohol into Maningrida on June 29.

But he said investigators “do not believe these individuals were supplying alcohol into the region” and the booze was instead for “personal consumption”.

Mr Hockings was contacted by this publication but declined to comment.